Matt Naber graphic
Store manager Don Hunt cuts the ribbon for the new store's grand opening as Kim Bowers, President and CEO of CST Brands, stands next to him with a crowd of CST representatives and local elected officials.

The saying goes that everything is bigger in Texas, and for locals and travelers in Three Rivers, that now includes the new gas station just north of town at the Interstate 37 and Highway 72 intersection.

The new Corner Store just outside of Three Rivers is the biggest model out of CST Brands’ 1,033 stores in the country. At 10,100 square feet, the store is the franchise’s 627th one in Texas.

“We are glad to have this new Valero station here; it brings jobs to the city and county,” Three Rivers Mayor Sam Garcia said. “It’s always great as far as ribbon cutting... It’s new growth and business in the community which we can always use.”

A grand opening was held on Friday with CST Brand representatives and local elected officials present for the ribbon cutting.

Store manager Donald Hunt anticipates the store will bring 50 additional jobs to the area and still needs another 15-20 employees.

It has a beer cave, Subway restaurant, 10 gas pumps, six high-speed diesel dispensers and an expansive parking for 18-wheelers and traditional vehicles too.

“Clearly the demand is here, the store is incredibly busy,” Kim Bowers, president and CEO of CST Brands, said. “With the Eagle Ford, a place for folks to stop 24-7 is critical.”

Bowers said their other stores in the area, Tilden and Kenedy, are constantly restocking their shelves. The Three Rivers store had a soft opening a week prior to the ribbon cutting and Bowers said the first few days “met and exceeded” their expectations.

The Subway shop inside is also doing as much business as their biggest store in San Antonio, according to Bowers.

“This store is four times the size of the one I had in San Antonio and the more the merrier,” Hunt said. “I’m looking for good opportunities to let us and the city grow.”

Hunt said the layout of the store was designed to allow room for truck drivers and regular customers to have the room they need to safely maneuver the site. Live Oak County Judge Jim Huff added that the entire project took about a year-and-a-half from start to finish, including the access road.

“I’m really excited. This helps us put our best foot forward and serves the locals and visitors,” Huff said.

CST is the second-largest publicly-traded fuel and convenience franchise in North America with nearly 1,900 sites, half of their U.S. stores are in Texas, and $13.1 billion in revenues last year. They plan on building 15 new stores in the coming year.

“It’s nice and convenient,” Live Oak County Commissioner Donna Mills said. “I’m happy they chose Live Oak County and appreciate the commerce and business.”